Official confirmation of Hogan signing, second major signing announced Dixie Carter at the press conference in Madison Square Garden just made the announcement of Hogan signing with TNA. Spike TV people are now speaking at the press conference.

Eric Bischoff was also at the press conference confirming signing with TNA. There are more on the way.

I really don't know what to make of this. Does Hulk have ANY drawing power left?

I'd say that he's got enough drawing power to at least increase the visibility of TNA. It'll be more successful than, say, Pacman Jones, but it's not going to make TNA into true competition, no.

Edit for more speculation while I wait for the WO website to load: This probably means that Australia is out. The bigger question is, what does this mean for Ric Flair? You could say that he's the "more to come", but if Flair goes to TNA, he's probably not going to welcomed back in open arms unlike Australia.

(edited by hansen9j on 27.10.09 1325)It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects.

"HULK HOGAN-TNA PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: HOGAN COMMENTS ON VINCE RUSSOBy Mike Johnson on 2009-10-27 15:17:18The Hulk Hogan-TNA press conference today featured Eric Bischoff introducing Hulk Hogan. Hogan talked about TNA and stated he was becoming a "partner" in the company and that he was feeling great and looking forward to being a part of the company. The conference left the impression Hogan may be involved as a personality, but not wrestling for the group.

TNA President Dixie Carter gave a short speech saying she was looking forward to working with Hogan and that while they have great ratings for a Thursday night, Hogan would be the "boost that TNA needed." SpikeTV's Kevin Kay was also in attendance and gave a brief statement about the network working with Hogan.

The Q&A session was said to mostly be fluff fan type questions, although one fan did ask Hogan whether working with Vince Russo would be an issue. Hogan responded that as long as Russo stayed in his place and didn't cross him, there would be no issues. Hogan then said that if he did, Hogan would have to take care of it.

When the topic of Eric Bischoff came up, Hogan did not say Bischoff was working with him in TNA but noted they have other side projects they are working on.

Obviously, Hogan's book being plugged was a big part of the conference as well.

CNN's Larry King Live had a camera crew there shooting footage for tonight's Hogan appearance."

That report didn't indicate that Hogan is wrestling. Hulk Hogan not wrestling is considerably less valuable than Hulk Hogan in the ring, even at his age and physical condition. Odds are, though, Hogan will wrestle.

Regardless, the sheer presence of Hulk Hogan in TNA (again) makes me interested in seeing what will happen, even if what happens is a car wreck, brother. (Maybe car wreck is a poor choice of words considering Nick Hogan, but there we are.)

I'm just as interested, in some ways moreso, by Eric Bischoff's involvement in TNA.

"ERIC BISCHOFF'S ROLE IN TNABy Mike Johnson on 2009-10-27 15:10:47Eric Bischoff will be partnering with TNA via Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment, according to a TNA source.

Bischoff was instrumental in Hulk Hogan signing with TNA and will be working with TNA going forward in creating new TNA television product and in securing television deals for those entities.

TNA has been looking at expanding their television product as their newest SpikeTV deal allows them to shop new series outside of Spike, should Spike pass on them. In the past, TNA has looked at launching series for the Knockouts, The X-Division and the Jeremy Borash-hosted Spin Cycle.

I am told that while we may see Eric Bischoff at some point appearing on TNA programming, he's more going to be partnering with TNA behind the scenes, as opposed to working day to day creatively.

Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment have produced a number of reality series, most notably the excellent VH-1 Scott Baio series and CMT's Celebrity Championship Wrestling."

This is 1994 all over again, needs Brother Bruti and another Disney World parade portending the doom of the Brian Pillmans and Johnny B Badds.

C'mon, no Russo! Let's at least enjoy the beautiful stillness of the moment before worrying about the oncoming hurricane. Sure, TNA is going to be screwed up by those in charge and only exist due to the patronage of it's parent company, but at least it'll be an exciting new version of being screwed up!

Blargh. After all the talk of TNA's "Youth Movement," this looks like it might derail all of that. Maybe Hogan's coming in to "put over the young guys" but I would be astounded if that turns out to be anywhere near the truth.

Originally posted by Matt TrackerAny reason to assume this will go better than Hogan's last cup of coffee with TNA?

Well, I think he'll actually show up this time -- but that doesn't fit my definition of "better."

Originally posted by Matt TrackerI would very much like to hear what Jeff Jarrett says about this.

I would very much like to hear what Kurt Angle has to say about this. Wasn't he the one with all the backstage pull, last we heard?

The big pro here is that Bischoff loves what the X Division once represented and in bringing him in, the X Division can become great again. The major cons are just about everything else.

Nothing makes me want to see Hulk Hogan, who's rapidly approaching his 60's. This kind of move absolutely kills me. In a time when WWE is putting on a 500th iteration of a main event featuring John Cena vs. Randy Orton, Undertaker vs. Big Show, John Cena vs. Triple H, etc. etc. etc. And as soon as he comes back, we'll either get Undertaker vs. Edge part 200 or Edge vs. John Cena part 200. How about another round of Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels once Michaels finally makes his heel turn? WWE has had such a stale product in the last year that the time is ripe for anything, ANYTHING new from the competition. So and what does TNA turn around and do? They toss us the prospect of an EVEN MORE STALE product! I'm absolutely astounded.

Originally posted by hansen9jEdit for more speculation while I wait for the WO website to load: This probably means that Australia is out. The bigger question is, what does this mean for Ric Flair? You could say that he's the "more to come", but if Flair goes to TNA, he's probably not going to welcomed back in open arms unlike Australia.

Last I heard Australia is still on. I do think Flair is going to come in just to keep Sting happy. I think this is a giant short term win, but long term not so much. If Eric can get the X-Division and Knockout shows on then it will be a long term win. I just can't see AJ in the ring with Hulk without thinking Hulk could easily beat him. Hopefully, Foley or Sting will keep him the hell away from the belt. I mean we have a Legends' title right there. Which means Eric Young and World Elite are the first victims of Mr. America.

Originally posted by hansen9jEdit for more speculation while I wait for the WO website to load: This probably means that Australia is out. The bigger question is, what does this mean for Ric Flair? You could say that he's the "more to come", but if Flair goes to TNA, he's probably not going to welcomed back in open arms unlike Australia.

(edited by hansen9j on 27.10.09 1325)

It better bloody not! I've already paid for my ticket!

Sorry, false alarm. Meltzer says Australia IS still on. Also, Ric Flair is contractually "linked" with Hogan as part of the Aussie deal, so it is actually quite likely that Flair is IN for TNA.

I get the impression that Hogan (and Flair's) deal through Bischoff is kind of comparable to how M-1 is providing Fedor to Strikeforce.

It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects.

I'm strangely bullish on this one. The obvious point of joy is the BYE BYE RUSSO piece of business, which has to happen. I also think you can now make favorable comparisons to late 99 WCW. They probably have a better roster of stars, let's see...

I'll tell you, I feel they can really make a go for it, and it will be interesting to see what Hogan and Eric can do with a pretty good roster and a tighter budget. There's about 3 or 4 wrestlers in TNA's "mid-card" that can really heat up with the right writing. I'm looking at Wolfe, Shelley, Hernandez, and Amazing Red to EXPLODE.

Bonus question: Is this the first time Bischoff and FOley have crossed paths in 15 years or so, or were they both around during the Foley/Orton wars?

BONUS bonus question: Should there be a death watch for the six-sided ring?

(edited by Super Shane Spear on 27.10.09 1600)You should listen to what I listen to

In terms of being able to stake a claim in the general public's minds that they are indeed serious about becoming the kind of powerhouse promotion WWE is (or WCW was when it challenged the WWF), signing Hulk Hogan is the greatest move possible for TNA.

Whatever Hogan's presence does, specifically whatever damage to the status quo or to whatever the elements of TNA are going to be upended by him, in terms of public perception - and let's face it, TNA has very, very little to the general public - Hulk Hogan's name, stature and star power gives TNA credence.

There are really only three true free agent megastars that TNA could bring in to give them the kind of recognition they need to be considered a rival - or they hope, an equal - to WWE:

Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock.

Everyone else, including Ric Flair, is a just wrestling star, no matter how big a wrestling star. Those three guys are household names transcending the wrestling business. Rock and Austin are pipe dreams for TNA. But Hogan is the biggest score they'll ever have.

TNA, by the majority of credible accounts I've seen regarding their business, was just not growing. With Hulk Hogan's name and Eric Bischoff working with them, given what they did for WCW (not to WCW, because that's a whole different ball of wax) TNA has the best chance they've ever had to be seen as an equal to WWE. What they do afterwards will be hotly debated, dissected, complained about, but it may also work.

I'd say congratulations to all parties are involved. I'm sure that today, for the first time probably ever, Vince McMahon took some time out of his day to seriously consider what TNA is and what this means to his business.